(Primary Sjogren's Syndrome; Secondary Sjogren's Syndrome)

Definition

Sjogren's syndrome is an inflammatory disease. The immune system destroys cells in exocrine glands. It occurs most often in the tear and salivary glands. It is a lifelong condition. There are two types:

Images may also be taken of your bodily structures. This can be done with a
chest x-ray.

Treatment

There is no cure for Sjogren's. No treatment can restore the ability of the glands to produce moisture.
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms.

Treatments include:

To help relieve dryness:

Artificial tears, artificial saliva, and vaginal lubricants

Pilocarpine—ocular and oral dryness

Cevimeline—requires less frequent dosing than pilocarpine, may cause nausea

To relieve joint and muscle pain:

Aspirin
or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

To relieve inflammation / swelling:

Plaquenil—antimalarial drug with anti-inflammatory properties

Steroids

Methotrexate—a steroid-sparing agent

Mild exercise can help relieve stiffness in the joints.

To help relieve dry mouth, sip liquids often and suck on sugar-free candies.

Brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly. This can help to prevent cavities.

Use unscented moisturizers to help relieve dry skin.

This condition is generally benign. However, people with severe cases are at increased risk for developing
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is a cancer of the white blood cells. Your doctor will need to monitor you for this.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing Sjogren's syndrome. The cause is unknown.

Sjogren's syndrome. American College of Rheumatology website. Available at:
http://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/Diseases_And_Conditions/Sj%C3%B6gren_s_Syndrome/. Updated July 2012. Accessed August 15, 2013.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.